Mission Lead
noda-ai · Austin · hybrid
MISSION LEAD – NODA AI
Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site, with up to 30% travel)
Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance
ABOUT NODA
NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.
Our Mission Leads drive the execution of cutting-edge pilot programs and field demonstrations, translating innovative concepts into tangible solutions that showcase our technical solutions to prospective customers and partners.
Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration.
THE ROLE
We are seeking a Mission Lead to manage customer-facing technical programs, pre-sales projects, pilot programs, and field deployments that showcase and deliver NODA AI's technology. This role combines technical program management expertise, operational execution, and customer engagement to deliver novel integrations and technical solutions that directly support mission outcomes and business development efforts.
You will work closely with customers, Engineering, Product, Business Development, and Operations to ensure each engagement is clearly scoped, technically ready, successfully executed, and positioned for continued operational success. From initial customer requirements through demonstrations, integration, deployment, and operational handoff, you will drive cross-functional execution while managing timelines, dependencies, risks, and deliverables.
This is a hands-on, customer-facing role for someone who thrives in complex, fast-moving environments, understands the demands of mission-critical operations, and can translate customer needs into actionable technical and operational plans. You will play a key role in turning successful demonstrations and pilots into sustained capabilities and long-term customer value.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead day-to-day execution of customer-facing technical programmes, demonstrations, pilot programmes, and field deployments from initial scoping through integration, launch readiness, delivery, and operational handoff.
- Develop and manage integrated programme plans including milestones, schedules, dependencies, resource requirements, risks, deliverables, and measurable success criteria to ensure on-time, on-mission execution.
- Partner with Business Development, Product, and Engineering to scope pilot programmes, novel technology integrations, and future capabilities aligned with customer mission requirements and strategic objectives.
- Serve as the primary programmatic and operational liaison between customers, government stakeholders, and internal cross-functional teams, maintaining clear communication, alignment, and accountability throughout execution. Coordinate across Engineering, Product, Business Development, and Operations to resolve technical and operational challenges, manage dependencies, and ensure projects are delivered to specification and on schedule.
- Translate customer mission requirements, operational workflows, technical constraints, and success criteria into actionable project plans and coordinated execution priorities.
- Track technical integration progress, assess deployment readiness, proactively identify and mitigate risks, and drive timely decisions necessary to support successful demonstrations, pilots, and mission execution.
- Collaborate with Product Management to align customer-driven development, R&D initiatives, and pilot efforts with product roadmaps, technical feasibility, and strategic direction.
- Gather and synthesise customer feedback, operational insights, and lessons learned from demonstrations and deployments, translating findings into actionable product improvements, operational priorities, and future capabilities.
- Support Business Development efforts by providing technical and programmatic expertise during customer engagements, identifying opportunities to expand successful pilots into larger deployments and sustained programmes.
- Coordinate operational handoffs, post-deployment support requirements, and issue escalation processes to ensure continuity, customer satisfaction, and reliable mission performance.
- Travel to customer sites, field exercises, and operational environments to support demonstrations, integrations, and deployments hands-on.
- Establish and continuously improve programme execution practices, customer onboarding, deployment readiness, stakeholder communications, and operational processes to support scalable, repeatable mission delivery.
- Manage programme information, customer data, and technical details with appropriate discretion in accordance with Noda’s security and compliance requirements.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field, or equivalent military or operational experience.
- 5+ years of experience in technical programme management, project management, mission management, deployment management, or related roles within technology, defense, or mission-critical operational environments.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional technical programmes from initial planning and requirements definition through execution, delivery, and operational handoff.
- Strong organisational, programme management, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, competing priorities, and evolving requirements.
- Experience working with technical teams and translating customer mission requirements into actionable project plans, technical deliverables, and measurable success criteria.
- Technical aptitude and experience working with complex hardware, software, networking, infrastructure, systems integration, or related technical environments.
- Proven track record of managing project scope, schedules, dependencies, resources, and risks while delivering complex technical programmes on time and within scope.
- Experience engaging directly with customers, technical stakeholders, and cross-functional leadership to communicate programme status, resolve challenges, and drive decisions.
- Previous military, government, defence technology, or defence industry experience, particularly supporting operational missions, technical deployments, or government programmes.
- Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned platforms, or related technologies, including hardware and software integration.
- Field deployment or operational environment experience, including hands-on support of demonstrations, integrations, or operational readiness activities.
- Ability to operate independently, establish structure in ambiguous environments, and maintain execution momentum in a fast-paced, evolving organisation.
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Background in pre-sales, solutions engineering, technical customer engagement, or customer-facing mission execution.
- Experience supporting DoD, intelligence community, or other government stakeholders, including familiarity with operational requirements, acquisition processes, and mission environments.
- Demonstrated experience transitioning prototypes, demonstrations, or pilot programmes into operational deployments or sustained customer programmes.
- Familiarity with field operations, deployment logistics, technical integration, operational readiness, and post-deployment support.
- Advanced degree in a relevant technical, business, or management di